Effective theory for the cosmological generation of structure

The current understanding of structure formation in the early universe is mainly built on a magnification of quantum fluctuations in an initial vacuum state during an early phase of accelerated universe expansion. One usually describes this process by solving equations for a quantum state of matter on a given expanding background space-time, followed by decoherence arguments for the emergence of classical inhomogeneities from the quantum fluctuations. Here, we formulate the coupling of quantum matter fields to a dynamical gravitational background in an effective framework which allows the inclusion of back-reaction effects. It is shown how quantum fluctuations couple to classical inhomogeneities and can thus manage to generate cosmic structure in an evolving background. Several specific effects follow from a qualitative analysis of the back-reaction, including a likely reduction of the overall amplitude of power in the cosmic microwave background, the occurrence of small non-Gaussianities, and a possible suppression of power for odd modes on large scales without parity violation.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figur

The role of decavanadate in anti-tumor activity

Decavanadate compounds were described to be involved in a variety of biological activities and responses such as anti-virus, anti-bacterial and anticancer. While the mechanisms of action of the antiviral and anti-bacterial activities are better understood, the same does not go for the anti-tumour activity. Nevertheless, the inhibition of tumour proliferation seems to impact certain enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase, ecto-nucleotidases or P-type ATPases. In the present report, several studies are described, in a way to explain the increasing interest of these polyoxometalate in cancer therapy. The detailed knowledge of the molecular basis of decavanadate–proteins and cellular interactions allows to better understand the processes associated with the anticancer applications, not only for decavanadate but as well for other polyoxometalates (POMs).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Decavanadate contribution to vanadium biomarkers

The levels of vanadium in urine and blood can be used as biomarkers of exposure, but the mechanism of vanadium toxicity is of major relevance in order to understand how biomarkes can be valuable. Our research group has performed in vivo and in vitro studies using fish and rat models to analysed and compare the toxicity effects induce by vanadium(V) species in the forms of vanadate (V1) and decavanadate (V10). Vanadium toxicological studies often disregarded the formation of decameric vanadate species (V10) known to interact, in vitro, with high-affinity with many proteins such as myosin, actin and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump. Among different experimental in vivo conditions, it was analysed different: (i) mode of administration; (ii) fish species; (iii) metal concentration (1 and 5 mM); (iv) tissues; (v) subcellular fractions ; (vi) exposure time and particularly different metal ionic species, such as V1 and V10. It was observed that‘‘decavanadate’’ promote different effects than other vanadate oligomers in catalase activity, glutathione content, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial superoxide anion production and vanadium accumulation. Moreover, in in vitro studies using fish and rat liver mitochondria, it was observed that decavanadate impared respiration by depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, wich altered the redox state of complex III. Putting it all together, it is suggested that decavanadate species are much more effective than monomeric vanadate species in inducing changes in several biomarkers. By changing mitochondrial functioning decavanadate migh provoke ROS formation, but further studies are needed to understand V10 contribution to vanadium biomarkers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A bioquímica na sociedade

A Química Biológica, também conhecida por Bioquímica, é uma área do conhecimento que é cada vez mais importante nas sociedades contemporâneas. A Bioquímica, é uma ciência interdisciplinar que utiliza estratégias e métodos de muitas outras, desde a Física à Farmacologia

A comparison between Vanadyl, Vanadate, and decavanadate effects in actin structure and function: combination of several spectroscopic studies

The studies about the interaction of actin with vanadium are seldom. In the present paper the effects of vanadyl, vanadate, and decavanadate in the actin structure and function were compared. Decavanadate clearly interacts with actin, as shown by 51V-NMR spectroscopy. Decavanadate interaction with actin induces protein cysteine oxidation and vanadyl formation, being both prevented by the natural ligand of the protein, ATP. Monomeric actin (G-actin) titration with vanadyl, as analysed by EPR spectroscopy, indicates a 1 : 1 binding stoichiometry and a kd of 7.5 μM. Both decavanadate and vanadyl inhibited G-actin polymerization into actin filaments (F-actin), with a IC50 of 68 and 300 μM, respectively, as analysed by light-scattering assays. However, only vanadyl induces G-actin intrinsic fluorescence quenching, which suggests the presence of vanadyl high-affinity actin-binding sites. Decavanadate increases (2.6-fold) actin hydrophobic surface, evaluated using the ANSA probe, whereas vanadyl decreases it (15%). Finally, both vanadium species increased ε-ATP exchange rate (k = 6.5 × 10−3 and 4.47 × 10−3 s−1 for decavanadate and vanadyl, resp.). Putting it all together, it is suggested that actin, which is involved in many cellular processes, might be a potential target not only for decavanadate but above all for vanadyl